Top South Africa How to Get Around

Instead of spreading your sightseeing over several days, this tour helps you save time by ticking off multiple Johannesburg and Soweto landmarks in a day—including Constitution Hill, the Maboneng Precinct, Mandela House, and Orlando Towers. No need to worry about sharing the trip with other travelers, as you’ll have a private driver for just your group.

Immerse yourself in the vibrant food and beverage scene of Cape Town on this half-day walking tour. With your small group, follow a guide through the streets of Cape Town to stop at city landmarks and hidden gems you might not find on your own. Enjoy tastings in vibrant eateries in Bo-Kaap and De Waterkant with entertaining commentary on the city's history and foodie culture from your guide.

Spend a day exploring Johannesburg with a professional guide with this private, full-day tour of the city, which includes pickup from your hotel or alternative accommodations. You'll visit local highlights such as the Apartheid Museum, the Mandela House, Freedom Square, and the township of Soweto as you learn about South African history and culture.

Explore Cape Town at your own pace with a 1- or 2-day hop-on hop-off bus pass. Journey around three different bus routes, stopping at attractions such as Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Table Mountain, and the Cape Winelands, and spend as long as you wish at each. Both options include a free walking tour through Downtown and Bo Kaap.

The Pilanesberg National Park is home to Africa’s Big Five—lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and Cape buffalo. On this full-day tour, increase your chance of wildlife sightings with two guided game drives in an open safari vehicle, tuck into a delicious lunch looking out over a popular waterhole, and perhaps spot giraffe, hippos, zebras, and antelope in their natural environment.

Immerse yourself in Johannesburg’s dynamic street art scene by exploring the downtown neighborhood of Maboneng with a guide. This trendy area is known for its murals, art, and diverse galleries—but it can be hard to know the personal stories and inspiration behind the art without insider knowledge. During the tour, see a variety of artwork and find out inspirational local stories, such as how street art is changing perspectives in local community groups.

If you’ve only got limited time to explore the highlights of Cape Town, then this guided tour is a perfect choice. Rather than being stuck on a sightseeing bus with large tourist crowds, you can benefit from the luxury of a private tour for just your personal group. Check off Bo-Kaap, Table Mountain, the Cape of Good Hope, and plenty more sights, with transport included along the way.

Discover the renowned South African township of Soweto on this small-group guided tour from Johannesburg. You'll first visit the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg to get a better understanding of that dark period in South African history, then head for Soweto for a walking tour, which takes in both Nelson Mandela's and Desmond Tutu's houses.

Face great white sharks in Gansbaai and Shark Alley with this experience. Start with breakfast and a safety briefing before boarding the boat. Then, slip into the cage for a close-up shark encounter or watch from the boat. Return to the harbor for a light lunch and a DVD viewing of the trip.

Get more out of your time in South Africa by combining a hot air balloon ride with a game viewing experience. Traveling by hot air balloon instead of car allows you to fly over several game reserves in a short space of time in the scenic Cradle of Humankind area. Along the way, look out for local wildlife—including four of the “Big Five”, and access incredible photo opportunities too.

Explore the Franschhoek wine region on a hop-on hop-off tram tour, which allows you to explore the wineries that interest you at your leisure. Sit back and enjoy the scenery while you ride through vineyards dotting rolling hills; you're able to taste as much wine (own expense) as you like without worrying about driving. Includes convenient transfers from Cape Town.

Cruise along Cape Town's Atlantic coastline and get great views of the city and Table Mountain with this express cruise tour. You will head out from the V&A Waterfront, making your way up to the Green Point lighthouse before turning around and heading back, all in around just one hour.

Visit the Lion Park outside of Johannesburg without the hassle of renting a car. This tour includes round-trip transportation from your Johannesburg hotel and admission to the Lion Park, where you can explore at your leisure to see more than 85 lions, including the rare white lion, and other animals such as wild dogs, hyenas, and cheetahs. Take a 2-hour safari drive to see the animals.

Johannesburg's reputation can make it intimidating for independent travel. Get a feel for South Africa's biggest and richest city in safety and security on this guided walking tour. See Chancellor House, where Nelson Mandela and Olive Tambo founded South Africa's first Black-owned law firm; admire heritage buildings on historic Main Street; soak up city views from the Top of Africa; and enjoy a braai (barbecue) lunch—with plant-based options too.

Spotting the Big Five—lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and Cape buffalo—is a priority for many visitors to South Africa and this tour is ideal for those with limited time. Travel from Cape Town by upmarket air-conditioned vehicle, enjoying views of the Breede River, Hex River Wine Valley, and Table Mountain along the way, then join a group safari drive at a private game reserve and enjoy some incredible wildlife-watching opportunities.

This tour is the perfect way to explore the beauty of the Cape Peninsula as well as local wildlife. Travel around in a small-group tour—an intimate alternative to crowded bus tours. Along the way, see the colorful buildings of Bo-Kaap, and admire the natural beauty of the Cape of Good Hope. The tour also visits the pretty town of Hout Bay, as well as the African Penguin colony at Boulders Beach (entrance fees extra).

Make the most of limited time in Johannesburg by going on a private half-day tour. There’s no need to worry about wasting time waiting for local buses, as air-conditioned transport is included, which starts with pickup from your accommodation. The tour is the perfect way to tick off a variety of key sights in a few hours—including Constitution Hill, Downtown Johannesburg, the Maboneng Precinct, and the Carlton Center.

Awarded Silver at WTM Africa by the International Centre for Responsible Tourism for Cultural Diversity, this experience connects Cape Town’s food culture with its history, spaces, and the lived experiences of local entrepreneurs. This is more than a food tour. While food is central, the experience explores how public space, history, and entrepreneurship intersect, and how forces such as gentrification shape life in the city. Guests are welcomed into hidden community kitchens, hole-in-the-wall restaurants, and African-owned food businesses, each with a unique story to tell. Along the way, you’ll meet small business owners and gain insight into the people and cultures that define Cape Town’s inner city. The experience is immersive, responsible, and continuously evolving, reflecting the dynamic nature of the city’s small business landscape. It offers an authentic glimpse into the heart and soul of Cape Town beyond the surface. Vegan, vegetarian, and pescatarian options are available.

Spend a day whale watching and wine tasting on this full-day trip to Hermanus from Cape Town. See migrating Southern Right, Humpback and Bryde's Whales off the coast of Hermanus from June through mid-December. Sample some of the local wines on route to Cape Town.

With this flexible package, you can choose the Robben Island tour options that work for you. Enjoy hotel pickup and drop-off included if selected, or go to a meeting point for a more cost-effective option. During the tour, enjoy a bus ride around the island, followed by the chance to see Nelson Mandela’s jail cell—an informative way to learn about Cape Town’s history and Nelson Mandela's incarceration.

Visit some of South Africa's most notable wine-growing regions with hotel pickup and drop-off from Cape Town. Enjoy several experiences in one tour: In addition to securing your ticket for the Franschhoek tram, you'll also visit Stellenbosch, a historic town, and make stops at several wine estates. Choose from options with or without tastings at several different wineries.

Hike to the top of Table Mountain without having to worry about route finding on this half-day guided hike. Choose from the direct Platteklip Gorge route or the more technical and adventurous India Venster route, then follow your guide and group up to the top before descending by cable car (own expense) or the Plattenklip Gorge route.

Take a leisurely exploration of the amazing scenery and fascinating wildlife of the Cape Peninsula on this flexible-length private tour. Travel by private vehicle and call the shots on what to see and do. Among the potential sights you might pick are a wine tasting at Cape Point Vineyards, a visit to the penguins of Boulders Beach, or a visit to the beautiful Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. A private guide, private vehicle, and round-trip hotel transport are covered.

Your adventure begins at Truth Coffee, where the aroma of freshly brewed coffee sets the tone for a journey into the heart and soul of Cape Town. From there, step into the streets of District Six, once a thriving community torn apart by forced removals, now a powerful symbol of resilience. Along the way, you’ll pass City Hall, where Nelson Mandela gave his first speech after prison, and the Slave Lodge, a stark reminder of South Africa’s past. Experience the buzz of Greenmarket Square, filled with local crafts and stories, then walk down Long Street, where history and modern culture collide. The tour ends in Bo-Kaap, with its iconic colorful houses and rich Cape Malay heritage. This isn’t just a walking tour—it’s an unforgettable journey through the stories, struggles, and spirit that have shaped Cape Town. Book now to experience the city like a local and uncover its true heartbeat.